USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Jersey City > History of Jersey City, N.J. : a record of its early settlement and corporate progress, sketches of the towns and cities that were absorbed in the growth of the present municipality, its business, finance, manufactures and form of government, with some notice of the men who built the city > Part 23
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113
1,835
1,209
657
11,890
1889
1,177
713
225
55
100
1.818
1,390
768
11,934
1890
1,251
752
258
56
2,527
1,508
68 1
11,747
1891
1,323
740
245
122
2.420
1,327
7,38
11,325
1892
1,348
749
249
9.3
140
4,118
1,217
7,38
13,647
1893
1,396
824
251
96
151
4,095
1,972
691
19,79[
11,438
7,306
1,791
580
1,256
22.946
12,731
7,158
135,142
Years.
.
CHRIST HOSPITAL, JERSEY CITY.
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153
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
CHRIST HOSPITAL.
Rev. Richard M. Abererombie assumed pastoral charge of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church. on Sussex Street, Jersey City, in January, 1872. The vicinity of the church had in prior years been the home of the well-to-do and the social centre of the city. At that time it was under- going a change. Factories and tenement houses were supplanting the homes of the wealthy. Dr. Abercrombie's duties brought him in contact with the poor and suffering in an unusual degree. The suffering were rarely members of his church, but they excited his sympathy. They were human, and his religion was big enough to reach all who came within his knowledge. Out of that sympathy Christ Hospital was organized.
A hospital had been organized in the hill section and had bought the Tonelle mansion, on Magnolia Avenue. The enterprise failed, and when Dr. Abercrombie was looking for a con- venient place this building was brought to his attention. He had no money and could not buy it, but he rented it and began his good work, well equipped with faith and determination. He carried on the work until the double duty it entailed wore him out, and he died in the harness December 7, 1884. He left no estate, but the generation that knew him was better because it had known him, and his memory is honored and cherished by all who knew him, as well as by thousands whose bodily ills were ministered to through his labors. Ten years after his death memorial services were held in St. Matthew's Church to express a lively sense of his worth and the unfilled gap made by his removal. Rev. Fernando C. Putnam, rector of St. Paul's, was chaplain of the hospital from its opening until his death, October 30, 1886. He was an earnest christian worker, and to him the hospital owes the Daisy Ward, one of its distinctive features. Finding a ten cent piece as he was entering the gate one day he proposed to use it as the beginning of a special fund for the maintenance of a ward for children. He lived to see the "Daisy Ward " one of the most interesting departments in the hospital.
The new hospital was opened for its work of mercy in November, 1889. A plot of land with a frontage of 155 feet on Palisade Avenue and a depth of 225 feet was secured for $15,000, and the present building was erected at a cost of $46,000. Of this total cost of $61,000, there was $25,000 paid, and the remaining $36,000 was provided for by a mortgage. The buildings consist of the main administration building, an operating room, wards for men, women and children, and rooms for private patients. Sixty patients can be accommodated. The care of children is an especial feature. The practical work of the year 1893 is a specimen of what is done each year. The in-patients numbered 566, the patients in the eye and ear department numbered 274, and the dispensary patients 1,596, making a total of 2,436 sufferers who were relieved during the year. In 1892 the total was 2,184. The maintenance of the hospital in- volves an expense of $12,000 a year, and requires the close attention of the council and hospital guilds. The members of the council are : Rt. Rev. Thomas A. Starkey, bishop of the diocese, honorary president ; Rev. George Stephen Bennitt, president ; J. Hull Browning, vice-president; John G. Crawford, secretary : George H. White, treasurer; building fund treasurer, Edward H. Bearse ; members, Rev. M. H. Throop, Rev. George S. Bennitt, Rev. F. E. Mortimer, Rev. W. P. Brush, Rev. J. C. Hewlitt, Rev. C. D. Chapman, Rev. E. L. Stoddard, Rev. D. F. Warren, Rev. W. R. Jenvey, Rev. G. C. Houghton, Rev. W. M. Sherwood, J. Hull Browning, James M. Erskine, S. D. Mackey, John G. Crawford, Robert L. Stevens, George H. White, Rev. James Cameron, R. C. Fessenden, M. M. Dominick, James Warner, E. H. Dougherty, W. F. Whitte- more, J. 11. Gilmore, Rev F. J. Clayton, E. H. Bearse, A. S. Baldwin, J. C. Besson, George W. Young, R. 11. Riddick, Linsley Rowe. Honorary members, Rt. Rev. N. S. Rulison, D. D., Rev. W. W. Holley. D. D., Rev. J. F. Butterworth, Thomas W. James, William T. Evans, James D. Simons ; chaplain, Rev. Daniel F. Warren, D. D. ; superintendent, Miss Janet Gahring ; collector, Rev. B. R. Phelps
The report of the finance committee for December 30, 1893, showed that the cost of land, building and furniture in the new hospital was $62,000, and at that date the mortgage had been reduced to $30,000. The training school for mirses was established in 1890, and provides, by lectures, clinics and actual hospital experience, a thorough course of instruction. In 1893 there were five graduates and ten pupil-nurses.
The Ladies' Guild was organized in 1876 under the direction of Rev. Dr. Abercrombie. It was legally incorporated in 1885, under the name of the Abercrombie Guild. It is auxiliary to the council ; its object is to secure money and supplies for the current expenses of the hospital.
154
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
and to collect and invest money for the endowment of the beds, in order that a fund may in time be created that will make the hospital self-sustaining. It has collected and invested for endowinent the sum of $36,353.97. During 1893 it also contributed $2, 138.73 to the current ex- penses. The members of the Guild are : Mrs. J. Hull Browning, president ; Mrs. R. B. Stimble, vice-president ; Mrs. Alexander McLean, secretary ; Miss M. C. Barry, treasurer. Active mem- bers : Mrs. J. Anderson, Mrs. A. K. Appleton, Miss C. Barry, Miss Battin, Mrs. H. L. Booraem, Mrs. C. F. Bound, Mrs. R. Boulton, Mrs. E. L. Bradley, Miss C. Cauter, Mrs. James Dall, Miss E. Dummer, Miss Figuera, Mrs. V. A. Grote, Mrs. Benj. Illingworth, Mrs. W. R. Jenvey, Mrs. A. Johnston, Miss M. S. Kingsland, Mrs. J. W. Lincoln. Miss J. MeMichael, Mrs. S. Peacock, Mrs. F. Peet, Mrs. R. H. Riddick, Mrs. T. H. Smith, Mrs. S. Stanford, Mrs. Stearns, Mrs. M. B. Stevens, Mrs. E. Stone, Mrs. S F. Tilden, Miss A. A. Tripp, Mrs. J. M. Vidal, Mrs. J. G. Welch, Mrs. S. A. Winfield and Miss Addie Thomas.
Associate members: Mrs. Spencer Aldrich, Mrs. A. Alexander, Mrs. Barkalew, Mrs. G. S. Bennitt, Miss B. Briee, Miss Brettell, Mrs. A. C. Brooks, Mrs. W. P. Brush, Mrs. A. Creveling, Mrs. M. E. Chamberlin, Mrs. F. Chamberlin, Mrs. G. W. Cauter, Mrs. W. H. Daly, Mrs. J. M. Erskine, Mrs. M. M. Fothergill, Mrs. A. Q. Garretson, Mrs. J. Garrick, Mrs. Knox, Mrs. H. E. Niese, Mrs. D. F. Norris, Mrs. H. C. Jones, Mrs. H. H. Kimball, Mrs. G. Pattison, Mrs. Rob- erts, Mrs. J. D. Probst, Mrs. D. F. Warren, Mrs. M. E. Tripp, Mrs. E. C. Webb, Mrs. J. J. Voorhis. Honorary members : Mrs. M. Abercrombie Miller, Miss Berret.
The St. Mary's Guild, auxiliary to the council finance committee, has committees that at- tend to reading in the wards, supplying flowers, providing delicacies, and sewing and mending for the hospital. It also has 438 mite boxes distributed, and its committees make periodical visits to collect contributions to the hospital given in that manner. This Guild collected $1,400.40 during 1893. The officers are : Miss Cornelia Barry, president ; Mrs. E. W. Hodsdon, vice-president ; Mrs. A. C. Brooks, secretary : Miss Marion Canol, treasurer : Miss Cornelia Barry, treasurer of mite chests : Miss F. L. Brown, assistant treasurer. The active mem- bers are : Mrs. A. K. Appleton, Mrs. C. F. Bound, Mrs. R. Blakely, Miss F. L. Brown, Mrs. A. C. Brooks, Miss M. Canol, Mrs. J. Coons, Miss E. Dummer, Mrs. J. Dall, Mrs. E. Davis, Miss E. Earle, Miss L. W. Elliott, Miss N. H. Coffin, Mrs. J. Garrick, Mrs. E. W. Hodsdon, Mrs. C. S. Jacobs, Miss E. M. Lewis, Miss A. Flemming, Miss S. Graff, Miss S. Haight, Miss E. J. Mills, Mrs. E. Stanford, Miss H. Tomlins, Miss E. Vreeland, Mrs. T. II. Smith, Miss M. Philbrook, Miss J. M. Voorhis, Miss A. H. Thomas, Miss M. E. Butler, Mrs. A. Creveling, Miss M. R. Brett, Miss C. L. Cauter, Miss M. Collard, Miss R. Cole, Miss J. Dobson, Miss V. A. Doggett, Miss K. H. Du Bois, Miss E. T. Carswell, Miss E. W. Elliott, Miss G. M. Coffin, Miss L. Erickson, Mrs. F. D. Gray, Mrs. G. R. Hough, Mrs. C. R. King, Miss Maginley, Miss E. C. Ogden, Miss A. E. Godden, Miss M. S. Kingsland, Mrs. F. Peet, Mrs. R. Stevens, Miss M. Voltee, Mrs. V. D. Wienges, Mrs. G. M. Mead, Miss G. Grimes, Miss L. Wardwell, Miss A. A. Tripp, Mrs. R. H. Riddick.
Associate members : Mrs. A. Alexander, Miss S. Edgeworth, Mrs. J. Hunt, Miss J. Kirk- patrick, Mrs. W. S. Cerren, Miss L. Osborne, Mrs. H. L. Booraem, Mrs. Dawson, Miss A. Lewis, Mrs. F. Relyea, Mrs. M. B. Lyons, Miss M. Wolbert, Mrs. G. Wilson.
Honorary members : Miss M. C. Barry, Mrs. G. S. Bennitt, Mrs. J. Hull Browning, Miss Janet Gahring.
The medical board consists of these surgeons and physicians, who give their services with- out compensation : Frank D. Gray, president ; Conrad Wienges, secretary ; W. R. Fisher, E. G. Janeway, consulting physicians : L. A. Stimson, consulting surgeon ; Conrad Wienges, Bur- dette P. Craig, Calvin F. Kyte, Ulamor Allen, attending physicians ; H. Melville Smith, Gordon K. Diekinson, Frank D. Gray, John J. Bauman, attending surgeons ; Arthur T. Muzzy, ophthal- mologist ; Gordon K. Dickinson, pathologist ; John C. Parsons, curator : Elbert M. Somers, house physician and surgeon ; Herbert B. Masten, assistant house physician and surgeon.
ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL.
The Sisters of the Poor of St. Francis came to Jersey City in the spring of 1864 and opened a small asylum for the sick on the northeast corner of old Fourth and Coles streets. This hospital was a very small and primitive affair, in a private dwelling, without a regular medi- cal staff.
155
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
In the early part of 1869 the Sisters removed their hospital to a more commodious building in Second Street, which had been the pastoral residence of St. Mary's Parish. In 1869 the present site of the hospital was purchased, and the dwelling upon it, with the addition of a new wing, constituted the hospital building. This lot and dwelling cost $32,000, and the new wing added $25,000. A plot of land adjoining, to the north, was bought soon afterward at a cost of $16,000, bringing the total cost up to $73,000. The hospital, as finished in 1871, contained about one hundred beds in the wards. In 1871 a regular medical and surgical staff was appointed. Up to this time medical service had been given by a few physicians when called upon by the Sisters. The first medical and surgical staff consisted of these physicians: Surgeons-Theo- dore R. Variek, Jolin D. McGill, D. L. Reeve and J. J. Prendergast. Physicians-J. E. Culver, A. A. Lutkins, T. F. Morris and H. Mitchell. Of these, Dr. J. D. McGill, now surgeon-general of the State, is the only active member of the staff in service. Dr. J. E. Culver is still con- neeted with the hospital as a consulting physician.
In 1881 another plot of ground south of the new wing was purchased, with a three-story · brick building upon it, for Sro,000. This was added to the hospital and increased the capacity twenty or thirty beds. St. Francis now had a frontage of 150 feet on Hamilton Square. In 1885 a gynecological service was organized, and Dr. Nathan Bogeman, with his son as assistant, placed in charge.
In November, 1887, the hospital was sorely afflicted in the loss by death of Dr. T. R. Variek, who was then its medical director. Dr. Varick had always taken the greatest interest in the welfare of St. Fran- cis and had contributed largely to its success, par- ticularly in the realm of surgery. He was succeed- ed as medieal director by Dr. J. D. MeGill.
In 1889 the erection of the present hospital buik !- ing was commenced. The northerly portion was built first and the old portion used as a hospital until the new portion was completed. ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL. then the new part was occupied and the old structure torn down. This completed the hospital as it now stands. With the exception of the site occupied by the bank building on the north- west corner of Erie Street and Pavonia Avenue, the hospital buildings eover the entire block bounded by Erie and Ninth streets, Pavonia Avenue and Hamilton Square. The location is salubrious, convenient and handsome : fronting upon Hamilton Park, it affords abundance of those desirable adjuncts to the successful treatment of the sick-fresh air and sunshine. The hospital has now a frontage of two hundred feet on Hamilton Square, a depth of eighty-eight feet on Ninth Street, and a rear facing of one hundred and twenty-five feet on Eric Street. with a south front of forty-five feet on Pavonia Avenue. The main building faces the square. and, besides the cellar and basement, is five stories in height. The chapel occupies the ground south of the main building. The "accessory " building, containing boiler and engine-room, laundry, stables, dead-house, and other necessary rooms, is situated on Erie and Ninth streets. The main building is divided into numerous male and female wards and private rooms, besides the parlors, offices, physicians' and surgeons' rooms and apothecaries' rooms. The number of beds in the various wards is about two hundred and fifty. A fine, large steain elevator connect- the different stories from the cellar Two large, complete operating rooms, one for males, the other for females, are also in the main building, furnished with the latest imported ( Viendat)
156
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
aseptic operating tables, stcam sterilizers and furniture. Hot water is used to heat the hospital, and the latest methods of ventilation, with two large fire-proof stairways are among the de- sirable improvements. The exterior of the main building is plain and substantial but impos- ing from its extent and height. The basement is of granite, and the superstructure of pressed brick with blue stone trimmings. The style is a form of gothic.
This magnificent institution, complete in every way and admirably adapted to its mission, is all due to the tireless work and activity of the noble order of sisterhood who have charge of it. Their devotion to duty, indomitable courage and perseverance, energy and self-denial, have enabled the Sisters to give to Jersey City the most complete hospital in the State. St. Francis is not endowed. It is a distinctively charitable institution, dependent upon the public for its support. It receives no State or municipal aid. Its charities are free to all persons, irrespective of religious creeds, social condition, color or nationality. While under the direc- tion of a sisterhood of the Catholic Church, the hospital is strictly unsectarian in the exhibition of its charities. The success and reputation of the hospital in alleviation and cure of disease, and the wonderful success which has followed the many and difficult surgical operations per- formed within its walls, are matters generally known in Jersey City and its vicinity.
The number of patients treated annually in St. Francis exceeds that of all other hospitals in Jersey City added together. Since August 1, 1871, there have been 17,260 medical and 10,684 surgical in-patients, making a total of 27,944 in twenty-three years. St. Francis has never had any out-door patients.
The medical and surgical staff serve without remuneration, and are appointed by the med- ical director with the approval of the Sister Superior. At present the medical board is consti- tuted as follows :
Medical Director-John Dale McGill, M. D.
Surgeons-John Dale McGill, M. D., Thomas James McLoughlin, M. D., Mortimer Lamp- son, M. D., Nathan Gross Bogeman, M. D. Assistant Surgeons-Edward Leonard Bull, M. D., William Franklin Faison, M. D., Christopher Dudley Hill, M. D., John Edwin Corrigan, M. D. Consulting Surgeon-Nathan Bogeman. Surgeon Dentist-George John Horning, D. D. S.
Physicians-William James Parker, M. D., William Perry Watson, M. D., Hamilton Vree- land, M. D., John Nevin, M. D., Burdette Post Craig. M. D. Assistant Physicians-John Joseph Broderick, M. D., Matthew Joseph Smith, M. D., Oliver Rowland Blanchard, M. D. Consulting Physicians-Joseph Edwin Culver, M. D., James Leonard Corning, M. D.
THE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
During the early years of Jersey City no attempt was made to establish a public library of any kind. About fifty years ago a Newark Avenue stationer named Stephens opened a small circulating library, but it was not profitable and had but a small range of books. A more ex- tensive collection was got together hy the Bergen Library Association in 1866. A number of public-spirited citizens who had erected a public hall for the use of the city and for public meet- ings, offered to give the use of a room free for a library. Subscriptions were collected, among which one of $500 from the Bergen Fire Department was the most considerable, and the neces- sary furniture, with 1,000 volumes, were procured. In consideration of the donation from the fire department, the Library Association offered twenty annual subscriptions as prizes to be competed for by the children in the public schools. The library was open Wednesday and Sat- urday evenings, from 7 until 9 o'clock, and on Thursday afternoon for ladies only from 3 until 5 o'clock. The directors were : Alexander Bonnell, president, and Messrs. Walter Storm, Geo. Gifford, E. B. Wakeman, G. Van Horn, J. C. Van Horn, J. R. Halliday, C. N. Betts, treasurer. and H. Gaines, secretary and librarian. The interest in the library died out, and the books were sold. Later there was a private circulating library on Pacific Avenue. All of these were small neighborhood efforts. About the time of consolidation the demand for books caused the Mercantile Library, of New York, toopen a branch office in this city for borrowers' cards. The service was maintained by express and proved inefficient. The financial troubles of the con- solidated city prevented an immediate movement for a library, though the question had been discussed as one of the needs of the city. In 1873 the board of education was authorized to establish a free library. The appropriation for this purpose was limited to $1,000 a year, and it was ten years before 5,000 books accumulated. The books as a rule were well chosen, and
157
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
numerous duplicates were provided. The library was open on Saturdays only, and mainly patronized by High School pupils, and public school teachers. The clerk of the board of edu- cation was also librarian, and his duties as clerk left no time for the care of the library. The result might have been predicted. Many books were lost and the library became simply a col- lection of books. After 1883 very little attention was paid to the library. Everyone recog- nized the fact that a public library would have to be established, and it was thought there was no need of adding the $1,000 annually to the budget for the schools. By omitting the iteni more money could be obtained for the requirements of the schools.
The publie school library was a move in the right direction, but its scope was too limited and the available fund was insufficient. The effort to secure legislation in 1883 that would result in a real library was not successful. The passage of a law on April 1, 1884, providing for free libraries in eities where the provisions of the act were accepted by the people at a general election, opened the way for a public library. The question was submitted to the people on April 14, 1885. The result was a surprise. The poll list showed that 17,230 voters exercised the right of suffrage, but there were only 8,788 who felt interest enough in a public library to vote on its acceptance or rejection. Of those who voted, 7,446 were in favor and 1,342 against accepting the provisions of the aet. The law required a majority of all the votes, and thus the city failed to secure the benefit of the aet. In 1887 another law was enacted, by which the question could be submitted to the people again. Other cities in the State had benefited by the law, and when, on April 9, 1889, the question was voted upon, 15,304 votes were cast in favor of the library and only 345 against it. In the following month the mayor appointed a board of trustees, who under the law had power to create a library. The selection made by the mayor was very fortunate. The trustees were intelligent and enthusiastic. They were : Leonard J. Gordon, M. D., Michael Murray, W. C. Heppenheimer, Nelson J. H. Edge and Chas. S. Haskill. The mayor and the city superintendent of schools were ex-officio members. Super- intendent A. B. Poland was in office that year and made a valuable member, but the success which was achieved was mainly due to the labor of Messrs. Gordon, Edge and Haskill. Dr. Gordon was chosen as president of the board, W. C. Heppenlieimer, treasurer, and Nelson J. H. Edge, secretary. A demand was promptly made to have the city board of finance insert the amount authorized by law for the library in the tax levy for the year 1889-90, but it was not done. The board of finance, as usual, wanted to keep the tax rate down. The library trustees asked for $25,533.15, the amount allowed by law. The board of finance ignored the mandatory feature of the law and inserted the sum of $10,000 in the tax levy. If the trustees had been less clear- sighted they would have accepted that amount. They saw the danger of establishing a precedent and took legal steps to compel compliance with the law. George L. Record, counsel for the trustees, obtained a mandamus by which the board of finance was compelled to raise the additional sum required to make the full appropriation. This process had to be repeated twice before it was made clear to the party bosses that the library was not a part of the polit- ical machine, and that its appropriation was a fixed charge for betterment.
The city was then under control of the bosses' ring, and an effort was made in the legis- lature to have a law enacted which should reduce the annual appropriation from one mill on the dollar of ratables to a fixed sum of ten or fifteen thousand dollars a year. The indignant protest made by the press and the people showed the politicians that the free library had taken such a hold on the affections of the people that it could not be disturbed. The bill was voted down and has not since been heard of.
The trustees secured the services of George Watson Cole as librarian after months of search for the right man for the position. Mr. Cole was a trained librarian of much experience, and the wisdom of the trustees in appointing him has been shown by the result. Alfred C. Herzog was appointed assistant librarian and served for a time, but the library trustees of Bay- onne induced him to take charge of their new library. Miss E. C. Burdick was subsequently appointed to the position. The other employees were appointed by competitive examination. The trustees hold office five years, but the first board was appointed for varying terms in order to secure a new member annually.
In February, 1890, W. C. Heppenheimer gave up the position of treasurer, and Nelson J. H. Edge succeeded him. Dr. Gordon, whose term expired in 1890, was reappointed for five years more, an appointment which was universally approved. In the following November the
158
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
old public school library, consisting of 5,631 volumes, was transferred to the public library trus- tees. These books formed a basis for the new library. The labor of buying and catalogueing the books required time, and it was not until July 6, 1891, that the library was opened. The number of books on the shelves then was 19, 103, with 946 pamphlets. The circulating depart- ment was opened on July 6, 1891. Within six months there had been 8,319 borrowers' cards issued, and 78,900 books had been taken out for home reading. At first the circulating depart- ment was closed on Sundays. It was opened on July 12, 1891, and proved very popular. Branch delivery stations were opened on October 1, 1891, and the number has been increased until there are now twelve of them where borrowers can obtain books as easily as they can at the library. The reading room in the library building, York and Washington streets, was opened on July 6, 1891, and 26,111 persons availed themselves of its privileges in less than five months after it was accessible. The library became popular at the start because of its wise manage- ment, and now it is one of the fixed institutions of the city. It will have a permanent home in a fire-proof building in time. A sinking fund has been created to secure this result, and if the plans are as well attended to as the other details have been in the past, it will be an orna- ment to the city.
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